Fostering a Healthy Organizational Culture: Resources for Humanitarian and Development Organizations

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Fostering a Healthy Organizational Culture: Resources for Humanitarian and Development Organizations

Over the past few years, humanitarian and development organizations have started developing policies to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH) by and of humanitarian and development workers.

While compliance with PSEAH policies and codes of conduct is a crucial first step, senior leaders and managers must cultivate a healthy organizational culture to protect staff and program participants. The time, resources, and energy leaders commit to PSEAH sets the tone for the rest of the organization. It is up to senior leadership to support safeguarding focal points, be transparent about their safeguarding commitments, and take action when people speak out and come forward with complaints.

Although senior leaders are responsible for setting the expectation, safeguarding requires collective commitment from the entire organization. When leaders set expectations, it allows staff members to be part of PSEAH. Each staff member of a non-governmental organization (NGO) must hold each other accountable for behaviors that fuel abusive power dynamics. The most well-intentioned safeguarding policies will not have the desired impact without a collective commitment from every member of the organization.

Below are resources to help NGO management and staff create an organizational culture that is diverse and welcoming of all voices:

Implementing PSEAH policies and codes of conduct is an essential first step in preventing sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. However, a healthy safeguarding culture is necessary for every staff member to feel safe at work and for every program participant to feel safe receiving aid.

If you would like to learn more, please see InterAction’s Resource Library, or reach out to Meriwether Beatty with any questions.

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